Steelers' Timeline For Next Big Signing Potentially Revealed

The Pittsburgh Steelers have done a great job of building up the roster since the end of the 2025 season. General Manager Omar Khan has made the appropriate moves throughout the 2026 offseason that allows the franchise to be a little more flexible when going into the 2026 NFL Draft. There is no clear position that needs to be attacked in the first round, which is where every franchise should want to be entering this event. The Steelers are in a spot where they could draft the best player available, especially if some more additions are made prior to the start of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23rd. 

Some of the key additions that have been made for the Steelers so far include running back Rico Dowdle, cornerback Jamel Dean, and defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day. All three of those players were added through free agency, while Pittsburgh completed a trade with the Indianapolis Colts to acquire wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. Those four moves addressed some weak spots on the roster and also came with tremendous value, especially when considering the fact that Pittsburgh brought Pittman in for just a late-round pick swap with the Colts. 

NFL insider Adam Schefter believes more moves could be made across the NFL leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, and he highlighted the available wide receivers in the most recent episode of The Adam Schefter Podcast on ESPN.

"If you're a team that needs a wide receiver right now on April 7th Ty, and I'd imagine we may get a little movement on this leading into the draft," Schefter said. "As we tape this, all of these players are free. But check out the decorated list of names at the wide receiver position as we get closer to the draft later this month. Ready? Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, Tyreek Hill, Odell Beckham Jr., DeAndre Hopkins, Stefon Diggs. That's a decorated list of free agent wide receivers still on the street, still looking for work."

The wide receivers that are currently available are certainly some notable names, but not many of them truly move the needle. Deebo Samuel and DeAndre Hopkins could make sense for the Steelers as a third or fourth option at the position, while the best name available is far and away Jauan Jennings. He might not have any interest in going somewhere like Pittsburgh, as he has proven he can be a first or second option in the right offense.

Tyreek Hill and Stefon Diggs were other names that Schefter mentioned. Diggs has some off the field issues that are currently being addressed, so that is going to decide his future in the NFL. It's hard to imagine any team would touch him before that is resolved. Hill is recovering from a gruesome leg injury and there is no telling when he might return to full health. Either way, Schefter expects some of these names to come off the board before the draft.

"I wouldn't be shocked if we saw a couple of these names added to teams right before the draft," Schefter said.

There is no guarantee that the Steelers would be interested in adding any of these names, but signing any of them would continue to make the wide receiver room better than what it was in 2025. 

Steelers Should Absolutely Stay Away From Some Free Agent Wide Receivers

There are some names that Pittsburgh should steer clear of, with Diggs being obviously being one of them due to his current legal issues. Hill is probably another one to cross off the list as his health is too much of a question right now. Odell Beckham Jr. is another option that should not be considered. There has been interest between both sides before, but Schefter mentioned that he does not believe that Beckham would return for the veteran minimum, and paying him anything more than that would be a risk. He didn't play in 2022 or in 2025, and there is no telling what kind of player he might be now.